Dutch Coach Roelant Oltmans looking for interesting options in Indian hockey
Roelant Oltmans, the seasoned Dutch hockey trainer, is ready to coach the Indian hockey team, but with certain conditions. In his views, it will be an amazing task to coach the Indian team for mega events.
It is vital to mention here that the national hockey team of India is surviving without a foreign coach since the Asian Games, held in 2010 in China. Though, the Indian team won a bronze medal in the Asia Cup, the federation had not renewed the contract
of Spaniard, Jose Brasa, for the another term.
Soon after the tournament, a series of controversies between the then Captain, Rajpal Singh, and Chief Coach, Jose Brasa, emerged and both levelled severe charges against each other. The contract was not renewed for another term. Harendra Singh, the deputy
to Spaniard, was appointed as full-time coach for the Azlan Shah Tourney.
However, the humiliated performance of the Indian team in the seven-nation invitational compelled Hockey India to pick up a foreign trainer in order to coach the squad for upcoming mega events. The Ministry of Sports is thinking to induct a foreign trainer
for a long term in order to develop a proper mechanism in this regard.
Hockey India had formulated a five-member body with Pargat Singh, as Chairperson, to select the foreign trainer which according to the media reports short-listed five candidates. As per some media claims, the name of Dutch Coach Roelant Oltmans is among
the front liners.
Oltmans, while speaking to the media, stated that though he has not received any formal proposal from India. However, it would be an interesting job to train the national side. He further stated that it would be untimely regarding acceptance of proposal.
It is worth mentioning here that Oltmans had coached the Dutch Team that lifted the World Cup and Atlanta Olympics back in 1996. He had also served the Pakistan’s national team back in 2003. He is currently indulged with the Larensche Mixed Hockey Club.
The seasoned trainer was of the opinion that the final decision to coach the Indian national team would be taken after considering certain conditions.
He stated, “My accepting the offer will depend on quite a few things. I will have to talk on many aspects before accepting any offer. As far as my availability is concerned, again it will depend on many things.”
Considering the past glory of the Indian national team, Oltmans declared it as a sleeping giant. It seemed that the Dutch coach is quite impressed with the past record of India that has won eight Olympic gold medals, one World Cup, two Asian Games and two
Asia Cups.
India has a busy schedule ahead this year, where they will play Champions Trophy and Olympics Qualifiers. The Ministry wants to complete the coach’s selection process in order to prepare the team ahead of mega events.
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